Genetics Flashcards
(222 cards)
Overview of achondroplasia
Present from birth, short limbs, mid facial hypoplasia, prominent forehead
Developmental delay
Stenosis of spinal canal
Genetic cause of achondroplasia
Mutations at FGFR3 codon 380 (inhibits linear bone growth - fibroblast growth factor receptor 3)
Autosomal dominant but most cases are sporadic
Overview of Hunter syndrome
Mucopolysaccharidosis II (deficiency of iduronate-2-sulfatase)
Exclusively males, reported in females due to lionisation
Wide clinical manifestations due to marked molecular heterogeneity - coarse facial features, short stature, joint stiffness, ID, dysostosis multiplex, extensive dermal melanocytosis
Genetic cause of Hunter syndrome
X linked, Xq28
IDS gene, 80% point mutations major deletions and rearrangements in the remainder
Overview of Marfan syndrome
1/5000
Tall with long arm span, arachynodactyly, scoliosis
AV valve prolapse/regurg, arrhythmias, aortic dissection
Lens dislocation (60-70%)
Pneumothorax, pectus excavatum/restrictive lung disease
Genetic cause of Marfan syndrome
Autosomal dominant, mutations in gene encoding ECM protein fibrillar-1 (on 15q21)
30% are sporadic, new mutations associated with advanced paternal age
Triad of osteogenesis imperfecta
Fragile bones, blue sclerae, early deafness
Genetic cause of osteogenesis imperfecta
Structural or quantitative defects in type 1 collagen (primary component of the extracellular matrix of bone and skin), leads to osteoporosis
Classic OI is autosomal dominant
Overview of Stickler disease
Midface hypoplasia, P-R sequence
Severe myopia, glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment
Hearing loss
Hypermobile joints leading to early arthritis
Genetic cause of Stickler disease
Autosomal dominant - gene mutation causing defect in collagens type II, IX or XI
Which is the only urea cycle defect which is NOT autosomal recessive?
Ornithine transcarbamyase (OTC) deficiency
- X linked disorder, all males are affected, 10% of female carriers are affected
Why will the mother of a child with congenital myotonic dystrophy display a milder form of the condition?
Congenital myotonic dystrophy is a triplet repeat expansion disorder, i.e. expansion of the triplet repeat on transmission from mother to child
Missense mutation
Altered codon produces amino acid substitution
Nonsense mutation
Altered codon becomes a stop codon and produces a truncated protein (mRNA terminates at that point)
Splice site mutation
Insertion or deletion of nucleotides in the specific region at which splicing of an intron would usually take place, therefore one or more introns remain in mature mRNA and may result in aberrant proteins being produced
Child with seizures, developmental regression, post mortem shows bilateral symmetrical necrotising lesions in the brain
= Leigh syndrome (also known as subacute necrotising encephalomyelopathy)
- DD, seizures, ataxia, weakness, dystonia
- lactic acidosis
- bilateral symmetrical necrotising lesions in basal ganglia, thalamus, brainstem and spinal cord
Child with developmental regression, diagnosed with AR lysosomal storage disease
= metachromic leukodystrophy
Caused by arylsulfatase A gene mutation
- can be infantile, juvenile or late onset
Child with loss of language, stereotypical hand movements and MCEP2 mutation
= Rett syndrome
- affects girls, usually normal development initially but then loss of language
- microcephaly and stereotypical hand movements noted
What mutation is associated with AD hereditary pancreatitis?
PRSS1
What are the features of Triple A syndrome/Allgrove syndrome?
Achalasia, alacrima (usually first sign), adrenal insufficiency
AR inheritance, mutation in AAAR gene
Often have seizures and autonomic dysfunction
Symptomatic management
Clinical features of Tay-Sachs disease?
Usually around 6 months of age
Hyperekplexia (enhanced startle response) to sound, macrocephaly, hypertonia, and hyperreflexia with gradual loss of skills and seizures by the age of 2
Early death by the age of 5
>90% can have bilateral macular cherry-red spots
Genetics of Tay-Sachs disease?
AR condition caused by disruption of enzyme beta-hexosaminidase A
GM2 ganglioside build up to toxic levels in neurons leading to progressive neurodegenerative symptoms
Cause of metachromatic leukodystrophy
Results from white matter accumulation of sphingolipid that leads to demyelination and neurodegeneration
Clinical features of metachromatic leukodystrophy?
Infantile form most common
Presents with developmental delay, seizures, ataxia, and mixed upper and lower motor neuron signs due to peripheral neuropathy resulting in reduced/absent deep tendon reflexes